I live in Kansas and having bought and sold 35+ classics I have seen everything with KS DMV and inspection process. One of the dumbest arguments involved attempting to impound my 1955 Chevrolet 3600 Series II pickup because of suspected VIN tampering. Problem #1, the highway patrolman I got (Hwy Patrol does all inspections in KS) had a bad attitude to begin with and was about 20 years younger than the truck itself. At the time, the truck had 36K original miles and totally unrestored and in very good condition. His first "issue" was the motor stamping didn't match the VIN, therefore it wasn't original. When I explained that didn't start until 1960 with GM and even later with trucks, that lead to Problem #2 - I pointed out he was wrong. Even better, he refused to look at my phone when I googled it. He then went down the path the VIN had been replaced because the VIN plate didn't fit the recess in the door pillar and was spot welded (correct for '55) not rosette rivets, therefore they are impounding the truck. Again I explained the 55 Series 1 cab and Series 2 cab were the same cab and the recess for the VIN was the early tag size, they changed VIN tags sizes in late '55... also, spot weld was correct for that year truck. Problem #3 - I pointed out he was wrong again. As they say, three strikes and you're out. I clearly was trying to sneak in a stolen vehicle, should be arrested, jailed, truck crushed, my children given to more fitting homes, and house burned to the ground. What ensued next was a 30 minute argument, threats of impounding, threats of arrest, and "Post Commander" getting involved. Because of the types of cars I frequently registered, I got to know another Highway Patrolman, Paul, who did VIN inspections, about 10 years my senior, and actually knew his stuff. He was working a different location and I negotiated having Paul review "the case". I am not exaggerating what happened next - Officer Paul looks at the pillar, opens the hood, points out matching VIN stamped in the frame, and 3 minutes later problem solved. That was 8 years ago and since then, I call ahead to find out when and where Officer Paul is working. Absolutely nightmare from a power hungry, "never question authority" patrolman. Sometimes it really is about who you know.
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